Wednesday, 1 February 2012

That Water Rail Again!

1st Feb.Just thought I would update regarding the Water Rail I spotted in Jesmond Dene in January.I’ve no doubt that cold conditions at the time had made it move from elsewhere, possibly Gosforth Park.

Sadly I have to report that it was not a first record for Jesmond Dene.However, after some careful research by guys in NTBC I’ve been given the following information.

Birds of Jesmond Dene written by Sir George Noble and published by Eyre and Spttiswoode Ltd 1930 says on page 23……………………

’63.Water Rail Rallus aquaticus

Seen in burn at Crag Hall in 1910 or 1911 CA’

It is thought that the C A may stand for Colonel C. Adamson.This particular Water Rail was seen in the same area as I recorded my sighting.

So there you are, I may not have a first for the dene, but it seems I have a first in over 100 years and I’m going to settle for that very significant sighting and don’t mind following the good Colonel into the record books. :-)

I’d like to thank those guys in the NTBC who first raised my attention to the significance of the sighting, and those who then went to great lengths to research it.It was Mike Cook who found the info in Birds of Jesmond Dene.

About Me

''Use the talents you possess - for the woods would be a very silent place if no birds sang except for the best.”-- Henry Van Dyke.
If you think the common can be as exciting as the rare then this blog may be for you, as it attempts to express my passion for birds and nature. All are part of my daily life and my home patch is all within walking distance of my home, although I often explore wider areas. I ought to be described as a naturalist rather than a birder. I believe that all who take an interest in nature will be well rewarded, but that such rewards ought not to be without reciprocation. My own contribution is made by volunteering, much of which is done in an attempt to help others share in the experience of the natural world. I attempt to reflect my interest in conservation and the fact that I believe the future of a natural world seriously in trouble relies very much relies on an openness of information to all responsible people. Responsible being the key word, and I therefore hope to keep the welfare of wildlife paramount at all times.